Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Pay or play?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 01:49 PM
  #1  
Ford'05HG's Avatar
Ford'05HG
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Pay or play?

In a few weeks I will be bringing my new to me Ranger back to the great state of Texas. The truck however, has a squeak when running, which I think has been concluded as the idler pulley for the timing belt. Well, I'm nowhere near the truck still and in order for it to get here it will need to be driven half a day to reach me, at which point I could do all the work it needs done.

My question is: Should I take the risk and have it driven here before the belt change (I did look at it while I was out there and it's already cracking pretty good), or should I go ahead and have someone get the belt done at a shop? It's less the belt that concerns me I think, and more the pulley, even though it's just started squeaking in the last 1000 mile.


Any one?
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 02:14 PM
  #2  
khadma's Avatar
khadma
Carpenter Local 745
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Club FTE Silver Member

How many miles on the odometer?

What engine?

Are you talking about timing belt or serpentine belt?
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 04:10 PM
  #3  
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
If the engine is the 3.0L then you need to confirm that the squeak you are hearing is not actually a failing camshaft synchronizer (CMP) assembly.

(Good description of the issue HERE).
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 08:18 PM
  #4  
Ford'05HG's Avatar
Ford'05HG
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
There's 110,000 miles on it.

It's a 2.5L

Checked the serp already and it's fine.

Pretty sure it's the timing tensioner and the belt I believe is also 110,000miles. And that bugs me a little.
 
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2016 | 06:36 AM
  #5  
Kruse's Avatar
Kruse
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
With the engine obviously running, grab a 2 or 3 foot section of old (or new) heater hose and use it like a stethoscope. Be careful that the hose doesn't get sucked into a belt or pulley.
 
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2016 | 01:37 PM
  #6  
Ford'05HG's Avatar
Ford'05HG
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
The truck is too far from me to do anything to by myself. That is why I'm here. I'm almost positive it's the tensioner pulley under the timing cover, if it's not that, I couldn't care less about what's happening to the engine beyond that. It won't be in there for long anyways.



The point of this post I guess, is to ask you all what you would do.

Would you be afraid to put over a thousand miles, or run this engine another 12 + hours, practically non-stop, with the timing components on their way out?
 
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2016 | 06:58 PM
  #7  
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
If I'm not mistaken, the Ford Ranger 4-bangers are non-interference engines, so at least you won't wreck the engine if the tensioner and/or timing belt fails.
 
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2016 | 07:54 PM
  #8  
Ford'05HG's Avatar
Ford'05HG
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Rockledge
If I'm not mistaken, the Ford Ranger 4-bangers are non-interference engines, so at least you won't wreck the engine if the tensioner and/or timing belt fails.

That's what I've heard too, but it would be significantly more expensive of a trip back...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 18, 2016 | 09:21 PM
  #9  
merkswitch's Avatar
merkswitch
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Among the first things I did when I bought my truck with 120k on it was replaced the timing belt, and it was definitely overdue. I don't know how much longer it was going to last, and I didn't want to find out the hard way.

I'd say, if in doubt, do it right and give yourself peace of mind.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2016 | 06:13 AM
  #10  
03 Maz B23's Avatar
03 Maz B23
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
If a tow vehicle is available rent a dolly and go that way. At that mileage if timing belt is questionable then I would be additionally concerned about cooling system, tranny, wheel bearings etc on that long drive. Wouldn't want to have to pay for any of those repairs en route with an unknown on skill level of one doing the repairs. Just my two cents.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2016 | 07:32 AM
  #11  
MikeB 88's Avatar
MikeB 88
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 1
I bought my 2000 Ranger with the 2.5L with 138,000 miles on it. First thing I did was change the timing belt. As far as I could tell, that was the first time.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
katula
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
13
Aug 7, 2021 11:53 AM
Kijutsu
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
3
Apr 19, 2009 09:06 PM
meck1
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
7
May 11, 2008 06:23 AM
Rob Widdup
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Oct 22, 2005 08:36 PM
Dunner
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
30
Feb 3, 2004 03:43 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:03 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE